Should Gay Marriage Be Allowed

Gay marriage continues to be a hot topic of discussion in the United States. Proponents and opponents can argue for their position based on many things. This paper will briefly discuss some of the common issues to consider when answering, “Should Gay Marriage be allowed?”

Many people still argue that on religious grounds gays and lesbians are sinful, and/or that marriage is a religious institution, essentially concerned with reproduction. They also believe that this institution can only be between a man and women and is as old as the book of Genesis. In Leviticus, God says not to lie (have sex with or love) a man as you would with a women. He includes homosexuals with thieves and drunkards. If he will not permit thieves and drunkards into heaven and he groups homosexuals with them does this mean that they will not be afforded the opportunity to go to heaven? Most religious groups believe that America is, or should be, in some fundamental sense, a Christian nation, whose laws and social structures spring from, or at least don’t openly contradict, Christian scripture. As of Nov 7, 2012, gay marriage has been legalized in the following nine states: Massachusetts (May 17, 2004), Connecticut (Nov 12, 2008), Iowa (Apr 24, 2009), Vermont (Sep 1, 2009), New Hampshire (Jan 1, 2010), New York (June 24, 2011), Maryland (Nov 6, 2012), Maine (Nov 6, 2012), and Washington (Nov 6, 2012). 31 states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Six states have laws banning same-sex marriage. The District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriage on Mar 3, 2010.

As of Sep 12, 2012, 11 out of 194 countries allow same-sex couples to marry. Religious groups would argue that marriage is already threatened with high divorce rates and allowing same-sex couples to marry would further weaken the institution. But if you look at...